Is Your Sump Pump Spring Ready?
"No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow" - Proverb.
We’ve all heard the saying, April showers bring May flowers, but as enduring as this statement is to spring, all that moisture can wreak havoc on your home’s basement. This is especially true if you regularly experience flooding in these areas. As the temperatures fluctuate in late winter and early spring, the foundation of a home can be prone to dampness and regularly flooding. In turn, sump pump systems can become overworked and can even break; this causes water to pool and not be pumped out properly. Here are a few facts about your sump pump and tips for maintenance.
Sump Pump 411
The sump pump is used to remove water that has accumulated in a water collecting sump basin. When groundwater fills up the tank to a certain level, the float will travel up a float rod and activate a switch that will turn the motor on. The motor will then remove water from the tank and away from your home.
Two Options
Maintenance Tips
If you need assistance with your sump pump or have questions about how it works and what type of maintenance you can do on it, contact Henson Robinson Company's plumbing team we’d love to help answer any questions, and can even help you complete routine maintenance. Give us a call today at 217.544.8451, or visit our website to learn more about our plumbing services.
References
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/your-sump-pump-ready-spring
https://www.thesilverlining.com/westbendcares/blog/tips-to-make-sure-your-sump-pump-is-ready-for-spring
We’ve all heard the saying, April showers bring May flowers, but as enduring as this statement is to spring, all that moisture can wreak havoc on your home’s basement. This is especially true if you regularly experience flooding in these areas. As the temperatures fluctuate in late winter and early spring, the foundation of a home can be prone to dampness and regularly flooding. In turn, sump pump systems can become overworked and can even break; this causes water to pool and not be pumped out properly. Here are a few facts about your sump pump and tips for maintenance.
Sump Pump 411
The sump pump is used to remove water that has accumulated in a water collecting sump basin. When groundwater fills up the tank to a certain level, the float will travel up a float rod and activate a switch that will turn the motor on. The motor will then remove water from the tank and away from your home.
Two Options
- Submersible - Is the most common type of pump, is most often installed during home construction, and is covered inside the tank.
- Non-submersible - Will have a motor and a hose and will be installed above the basement floor. The hose connects to the motor and then routes to the sump tank.
Maintenance Tips
- Debris near or on the pump: Remove the cover and check for any debris that might have made its way into the tank, such as mud, gravel, and rocks.
- Check the discharge pipe: before you get any significant rain during the spring season, check the discharge hose and make sure it’s free of debris.
- Does the Float Switch work? Pour a few gallons of water into the sump basin. If it comes on and sucks out the water, the switch (and pump) are good to go. If not, repair or replace the switch.
- Test the outlet: Per code, a sump pump has to be plugged into a GFCI receptacle. For your safety, press its test and reset buttons.
- Do you have a backup battery? Top up its cells with distilled water, as needed.
If you need assistance with your sump pump or have questions about how it works and what type of maintenance you can do on it, contact Henson Robinson Company's plumbing team we’d love to help answer any questions, and can even help you complete routine maintenance. Give us a call today at 217.544.8451, or visit our website to learn more about our plumbing services.
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References
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/your-sump-pump-ready-spring
https://www.thesilverlining.com/westbendcares/blog/tips-to-make-sure-your-sump-pump-is-ready-for-spring
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